Polish tribunal says parts of new law unconstitutional

Andrzej Rzeplinski, left, head of Poland's Constitutional Court and judges enter the courtroom to attend a session at the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. The tribunal has ruled that parts of a new law governing its own operation are unconstitutional, what is the latest development in a nine-month saga centered on Poland's highest legislative court. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
(The Associated Press)

Judges attend a session at the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. The tribunal has ruled that parts of a new law governing its own operation are unconstitutional, what is the latest development in a nine-month saga centered on Poland's highest legislative court. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
(The Associated Press)

Anti-government protesters shout slogans in front of the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. The tribunal has ruled that parts of a new law governing its own operation are unconstitutional, what is the latest development in a nine-month saga centered on Poland's highest legislative court. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
(The Associated Press)

WARSAW, Poland – Poland's Constitutional Tribunal has ruled that parts of a new law governing its own operation are unconstitutional.

The ruling Thursday is the latest development in a nine-month saga centered on Poland's highest legislative court.

The right-wing ruling Law and Justice party took steps after taking power last November to stack the court with its supporters and change the rules by which it can reach rulings; The European Union says the steps have weakened the rule of law.

The court said among rules that are unconstitutional is a provision giving four judges on the 15-judge court the power to block rulings for up to six months.